ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Pastor Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Sandals Church

Lead, Worship

Mentone, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Campus Pastor WHAT YOU OWN Worship Leadership * Lead worship on the platform at all assigned services. * Carry, communicate, and execute the spiritual, pastoral, and musical tone under the vision set ...

Sandals Church

Lead, Worship

Mentone, CA

$20 - $23/hr

Campus Pastor WHAT YOU OWN Worship Leadership * Lead worship on the platform at all assigned services. * Carry, communicate, and execute the spiritual, pastoral, and musical tone under the vision set ...

Sandals Church

Lead, Youth Worship

Riverside, CA · On-site

$20 - $22/hr

Hunter Park Campus Worship Pastor (Solid Line), Next Gen Director (Dotted Line) WHAT YOU OWN Worship Leadership * Lead worship on the platform at all assigned services. * Carry, communicate, and ...

Stantec

Senior Paleontologist

San Bernardino, CA · On-site

Your Opportunity The Senior Paleontologist will work as part of a dynamic team that is based in Southern California but includes staff members across the United States. Stantec Paleontology is one of ...

Stantec

Senior Paleontologist

Irvine, CA · On-site

Your Opportunity The Senior Paleontologist will work as part of a dynamic team that is based in Southern California but includes staff members across the United States. Stantec Paleontology is one of ...

MOET Law Group

Senior Negotiator

Irvine, CA · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Vision insurance MOET Law Group is seeking an experienced Senior Negotiator to join our plaintiff-side personal injury law firm in Irvine, CA . This full-time, in-person role is critical in the post ...

Wood Plc

Senior Archaeologist

Riverside, CA · Remote

$80K - $115K/yr

Overview / Responsibilities Wood is seeking a Senior Archaeologist to serve as a leading member for our Environmental Planning Leadership Team in the Pacific West, with a focus on business ...

Stantec

Senior Archeologist

San Bernardino, CA · On-site

Your Opportunity Stantec is seeking an experienced Senior Archaeologist with 7+ years of CRM field and project management experience in California to join our Environmental Services Cultural ...

Stantec

Senior Archeologist

Irvine, CA · On-site

Your Opportunity Stantec is seeking an experienced Senior Archaeologist with 7+ years of CRM field and project management experience in California to join our Environmental Services Cultural ...

Tetra Tech

Senior Seller/Doer - Energy (Hybrid)

Irvine, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $220K/yr

Tetra Tech is adding a Senior Seller/Doer - Energy to accelerate growth of our utility-scale energy siting and permitting practice in California by identifying, winning, and delivering new client ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPastor JobsSenior Pastor JobsSenior Pastor Jobs in Riverside, CA

Senior Pastor information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$36.5K

$63.3K

$94.4K

How much do senior pastor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior pastor in Riverside, CA is $63,257.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,100.00 and $76,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Senior Pastors face in leading a congregation and how can they be addressed?

Senior Pastors often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative duties with spiritual leadership, managing diverse congregational expectations, and fostering effective communication among staff and church members. Building a strong support team, delegating responsibilities, and prioritizing regular self-care can help address these challenges. Additionally, ongoing training in leadership, conflict resolution, and team collaboration is beneficial for maintaining a healthy church environment.

What Does a Senior Pastor Do?

A senior pastor serves as the leader of a church or parish. It is the senior pastor’s responsibility to engage in community events, preach, teach, and manage the church organization. The senior pastor may be the head of a large congregation and multiple church employees (such as secretaries, musical leaders, or junior pastors), the only paid member of a church, or a volunteer nominated for the role. Depending on the denomination of the church, a senior pastor may stay in one place all their life or move from church to church as needed.

What are Senior Pastors?

Senior Pastors are the primary leaders of a church, responsible for overseeing all aspects of ministry, preaching, and providing spiritual guidance to the congregation. They often lead worship services, manage church staff, and set the vision and direction for the church. Senior Pastors also provide counseling, officiate at ceremonies such as weddings and funerals, and engage with the broader community on behalf of their church. Their role is both spiritual and administrative, requiring strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Pastor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Pastor, you need a deep theological knowledge, strong leadership abilities, and typically a seminary degree or equivalent pastoral training. Familiarity with church management software, online communication platforms, and sermon preparation tools is common. Exceptional interpersonal skills, empathy, and effective communication make someone stand out in this role. These qualities are crucial for providing spiritual guidance, managing church operations, and fostering a supportive, engaged congregation.

What is the difference between Senior Pastor vs Associate Pastor?

AspectSenior Pastor

Required CredentialsTypically a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent, theological training, and ordination

Work EnvironmentLead church services, provide spiritual guidance, oversee church operations

Employer & Industry UsageUsed in churches of all sizes, often as the head spiritual leader

The Senior Pastor is the primary spiritual leader of a church, responsible for preaching, vision setting, and overall church management. An Associate Pastor typically supports the Senior Pastor, focusing on specific ministries or congregational needs. While both roles require theological training and ordination, the Senior Pastor holds the top leadership position, whereas the Associate Pastor assists in implementing the church's mission.

More about Senior Pastor jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Pastor jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Pastor jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Pastor jobs in Riverside, CA? For Senior Pastor jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Pastor jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Pastor jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Senior Pastor jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Senior Pastor job openings:
Senior Pastor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Pastor job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 54% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Contract, 20% Nights, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,257 per year, or $30.4 per hour.
Lead, Worship

Lead, Worship

Sandals Church

Mentone, CA • On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

VISION: The vision of Sandals Church is to be real with ourselves, God, and others.
THE ROLE: Oversees the on-platform execution of worship for East Valley, partnering with the Central Support and Campus/Department leadership teams to deliver an excellent, spiritually meaningful, and engaging worship experience at Sandals Church. Owns the strategy and execution of developing a healthy and skilled team of volunteer musicians, vocalists, and leaders.
SCOPE: Sandals Church East Valley
REPORTS TO:Campus Pastor
WHAT YOU OWN
Worship Leadership
  • Lead worship on the platform at all assigned services.
  • Carry, communicate, and execute the spiritual, pastoral, and musical tone under the vision set by the Campus Worship Pastor/Department Leader.
  • Proactively schedule and develop a full team of musicians, vocalists, band leaders, and worship leaders.
  • Prepare and communicate service flow, vocal and band direction, and leadership moments in partnership with the Production and Sandals Worship Leadership team. Ensure setlists, chord charts, and arrangements are accurate and finalized before rehearsal; make thoughtful updates as needed.
  • Facilitate rehearsals in collaboration with Band and Production leaders.
  • Build, care for, and develop campus worship team members to grow in skill, leadership, and spiritual maturity.
  • Relationally invest in team members, fostering trust, growth, and joy.
  • Facilitate and manage auditions for your campus/department.
  • Equip, empower, and release worship leaders and vocalists with the goal of multiplication and sustainability.
  • Maintain accurate team rosters in Planning Center and CCB.
  • Attend campus engagement meetings in person and other required department meetings.
  • Support cross-ministry efforts that reinforce a unified culture across the church.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for musicians and production regarding instruments, gear, and playback.
  • Maintain and steward campus instruments and gear; anticipate needs and collaborate on repairs or requests.

HOW YOU COLLABORATE
  • Develop a healthy and collaborative partnership with the Campus and Central Support teams to align on worship vision, team culture, service flow, and musical style.
  • Communicate service vision, leadership moments, and vocal needs clearly and early to support strong musical execution between Saturday and Sunday experiences.
  • Work alongside production and campus staff to ensure worship experiences are spiritually grounded, musically excellent, timely, and technically prepared.
  • Participate in or support Central Support initiatives and campus-specific events as scheduled and capacity allows.

EVALUATION: Personal and collective feedback is essential for healthy development. You commit to being receptive to a positive culture of feedback and evaluation, understanding that this is a key component for growth, excellence, and success in your role.
SANDALS STAFF CORE VALUES: As Staff, we are expected to champion and live out the Values, Attributes, and Expectations as defined in the Culture Stack.
COMPENSATION INFORMATION:
Pay Range: $20-$23 per hour.
We will provide a pay rate that is within our compensation structure and that fits a candidate's qualifications and experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage for a job offer
*Sandals Church is both an equal opportunity employer and a faith-based religious organization. We conduct hiring without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, marital status, membership in any labor organization, political ideology, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual. The status of Sandals Church as an equal opportunity employer does not prevent us from hiring staff based on their religious beliefs so that all employees share the same religious commitment, which is central to our mission.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply